Insects, spiders, mites, and roundworms: Tourists may be to blame for bringing invasive species to Ireland

Between-country tourism is established as a facilitator of the spread of invasive alien species. Picture: Leah Farrell / RollingNews.ie

Tourists and returning residents may be contributing to the plague of invasive species in countries like Ireland, inadvertently bringing in harmful species in luggage and footwear, new research suggests.

A study examined the likes of insects, spiders, mites, snails, plants, and roundworms being reported at accommodation in New Zealand and researchers found what they called a "significant correlation".